VEGAN DIET - A FALLEN ANGEL?

It has become modern to go ‘vegan’ as  the seemingly most healthy diet on the planet. However, is modernity the answer to long and healthy life? Read on to learn more about…

THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND

Julia McBrennigan from Newport, Rhode Island, asks:
Most of us know that healthy diet is one of the basic pillars of long and healthy life. Culminating with vegan diet?
 
Dr. Fritz:
 
As you have learned from my Medical Sunday Blogs, healthy diet is one of the basic pillars of long and healthy life.
 
However, there are also ‘faith healers’ around at all times and societies who know it seemingly ‘better’. Overlooking in most cases the necessity of balancing nutrients in a multidimensional way. .

VEGANISM - ?
 

One of those gurus are preaching ‘veganism’ as the most healthy and powerful form of nutrition. With special reference to fruits and vegetables we need most.
 

SCIENTIFIC CONTRADICTION
 

Yet, if we listen – inter alia – to research at Ghent University in Belgium, we learn that vegan diet basically is not bad or wrong at all. It is just deficient of certain vital minerals, vitamins, and proteins, despite of dominating fruits and vegetables.
 
With lack or deficiency of vitamin B-12, in a balanced diet usually derived from meat as the most reliable source, being not the only culprit of veganism, but the greatest one.  As it vital for DNA development and support of the nervous system potentially leading to neurological problems – and potentially to premature death.
 
Lack of appropriate amount of calcium is another shortage of of veganism, being undeniable for lifelong bone density to, inter alia, avoid fractures and rickets in children.  That’s why especially children should be spared from vegan diet during their phase of development.

Just to name 2 out of the portfolio of vegan deficiencies.
 

CONCLUSION

In a nutshell: no, vegan diet is not necessarily 'wrong' - it is deficient of some very essential nutrients, and therefore may not be the best choice for your health.
 
This example demonstrates once more that even seemingly healthy diet can lead to malnutrition with many negative consequences, if it is not well balanced, covering all essential nutrients in an appropriate amount.

And which diet is complete and balanced? As you have learned previously from our blogs, Mediterranean diet is not the only diet to recommend, but certainly one of your body's favorites. Unlike veganism, for reasons indicated above.

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